Knapp principal taking his 'A game' to Hyde schools

In this file photo from August 2017, Steve Basnight is shown at J. P. Knapp Early College High School in Currituck on the first day of school. Basnight has been hired as the new superintendent of schools in Hyde County.

CURRITUCK — The principal who has led J.P. Knapp Early College through four consecutive years as an “A” school on the state’s accountability system is taking on a new challenge as superintendent of the Hyde County Schools.

“Mr. Basnight has indeed been selected as the next Hyde County superintendent,” Stefanik said in the email. “We are proud of Steve!”

Basnight is slated to start in Hyde Oct. 27. He replaces Randolph Latimore, who is retiring after 10 years as superintendent of schools in Hyde County.

The Hyde County Schools said in a news release that Basnight was selected from a pool of about 30 applicants following an “exhaustive search process” that started in May.

“Mr. Basnight has served in a variety of positions from teacher, coach, assistant principal, district curriculum specialist and principal in Dare County and most recently as principal of J. P. Knapp Early College High School in Currituck County,” the release states. “Additionally, he has achieved recognition as a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Distinguished Teacher and additional degrees of education specialist, master of arts in school administration and bachelor of science from East Carolina University.”

Hyde County education officials noted J.P. Knapp Early College was recognized the past two years by U.S. News and World Report as “One of the Nation’s Best High Schools.”

The releases states “the Hyde County Board of Education is delighted that he has agreed to accept its offer to lead the school district.”